Karnataka Police to get new whistles, matte buttons

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar pays tribute to the police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty on the Police Memorial Day at the Central Police Headquarters, Bengaluru.

Following Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s announcement at the Police Martyrs’ Day programme, police officers in Karnataka will get new whistles and matte finish uniform buttons to replace the existing metal accessories.

The proposed changes aim to improve the comfort and health of police officers, especially lower-ranking officers who wear uniforms for long hours on duty.

The metal whistle chains and buttons currently used on police uniforms are prone to rusting due to changing weather conditions. Rust can leave stubborn stains on uniforms, damage the fabric and potentially cause skin-related problems for personnel.

The Karnataka State Police Grievance Bureau has repeatedly written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) asking the authorities to replace the existing metal accessories with more practical alternatives.

Authority member Mohan Kumar Danappa pointed out that several states, including Sikkim, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Keralam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, have already introduced whistles and matte buttons for police personnel.

While some states have opted for khaki whistles, others use blue. The additions designed in Karnataka are expected to match the dark blue visors recently introduced for junior police personnel or be in a color approved by the ministry.

The introduction of navy blue caps replaced the older British-era headgear worn by junior staff. Earlier caps were said to be uncomfortable, especially in summer, and could cause discomfort during long working hours.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 20:17 IST